British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.
